6: Ovarian cancer Flashcards
Which fluid-filled epithelial sacs can form in the ovaries?
Ovarian cysts
Where specifically do ovarian cysts most commonly arise?
Follicles
What is the pathogenesis of follicular ovarian cysts?
Follicle fails to rupture, forming a fluid-filled cyst instead
Usually self-resolving
What is endometriosis?
Endometrial tissue outwith the body of the uterus
Where can endometriosis arise?
Ovaries
Peritoneal cavity - rectouterine pouch, SURFACE of uterus, bowel or bladder
Cervix, vagina
What are chocolate cysts?
Endometriosis found on the surface of the ovaries
NOT actual cysts
What is endometriosis called when it arises on the surface of the ovary?
Chocolate cyst
What are the main symptoms of endometriosis?
Pelvic pain
Dyspareunia
Infertility
When is the pelvic pain of endometriosis particularly bad?
During menstruation (because the abnormal endometrium sheds as well)
Some endometriomas can go on to develop into what?
Endometroid carcinomas
epithelial tumours
The vast majority of ovarian tumours are derived from which type of cell?
Epithelial cells
therefore they are carcinomas
Which type of ovarian carcinoma is associated with endometriosis?
Endometrioid carcinoma
Which type of ovarian carcinoma is the most common?
Serous carcinoma
Which syndrome, causing colorectal cancer, is linked to endometrioid carcinomas of the ovary?
HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma)
otherwise known as Lynch syndrome
Ovarian tumours can grow to become very ___.
large
Apart from epithelial cells, in which other cells can ovarian cancer develop?
Germ cells
Egg cells in women, sperm cells in men
Which germ cell tumour accounts for 15-20% of ovarian tumours?
Teratoma
What are mature ovarian teratomas also known as?
Why?
Dermoid cysts
Derived from all three germ layers - so contain hair, skin, resp. epithelium - weird mishmash of tissues
Are teratomas (dermoid cysts) benign or malignant?
Benign
Which developmental structures may ovarian tumours be derived from?
Sex cords
Because oestrogen is produced by the ovaries, which primary cancer can spread there?
Breast cancer
The ovaries are closely related to the abdominal organs because they are all found within the peritoneal cavity.
This allows the spread of which primary cancers to the ovaries?
Stomach
Pancreas
Colon
If tumours are found in both ovaries, what should you suspect?
Secondary invasion from other organs
Endometriosis can cause which abnormal pregnancy if affects the ovaries or fallopian tubes?
Ectopic pregnancy
Which structures, closely related to the ovaries, can also develop epithelial tumours?
Fallopian tubes
What is inflammation of the Fallopian tubes called?
Salpingitis
What is a consequence of untreated ectopic pregnancy?
Massive haemorrhage
What are signs of an ectopic pregnancy?
Acute abdomen
Sudden hypotension
in a woman with amenorrhoea
The signs of ectopic pregnancy are an acute abdomen and sudden hypotension in a woman with ___.
amenorrhoea
